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I received the Guide Pack (in Olive) yesterday to do field testing for a review on Loadedpocketz. Certainly the definitive word should come from Tom Bihn, but I believe tCook is correct - the second set of loops is to accommodate a higher position for the waist strap that already comes with the pack. At 21.5" in length, the Guide Pack is nearly as long as a Aeronaut. The strap would probably fall too low for users under 6' tall or with a shorter torso whereas for me, being 6'4", the lower position is perfect.

Any chance as part of your review you could include some photos comparing the overall size of this vs a Smart Alec and whichever Synapse(s) you have at this point? I'm pretty sure the S19 and Smart Alec cover all my backpack needs better than the Guide's Pack would, but I do love the look of it and some of its features. So if I can justify a larger pack, I might...

Thanks. That's perfect! I think the Smart Alec will serve my purposes well enough for now. I'll just have a bad case of bag envy!

Nice job tCook!

autolycus,

So far, the biggest differentiators for me between the Smart Alec and the Guide Pack are:

1) The Guide Pack's internal frame makes a big difference when carrying heavy load-outs
2) Tom really upped the ante on organization. The Lead Pocket is the real deal (even by EDC Forum standards).
3) The attachment points on the Guide Pack are less proprietary and therefore more useful

I'm not saying the Smart Alec isn't a great pack because it is. But, I don't see my Smart Alec seeing the trail much now that the Guide Pack is in the fold.

So far, the biggest differentiators for me between the Smart Alec and the Guide Pack are:

1) The Guide Pack's internal frame makes a big difference when carrying heavy load-outs
2) Tom really upped the ante on organization. The Lead Pocket is the real deal (even by EDC Forum standards).
3) The attachment points on the Guide Pack are less proprietary and therefore more useful

I'm not saying the Smart Alec isn't a great pack because it is. But, I don't see my Smart Alec seeing the trail much now that the Guide Pack is in the fold.

Thanks for your thoughts. If my primary use of the pack was hiking, I'd have probably already ordered the new one. But I mostly use my Smart Alec for carrying stuff, including laptop, to and from work. My guess is the SA is better suited to that, and still more than adequate for carrying an extra layer, water, FAK and camera into the woods for the dozen or so times a year I got for half-day and short "day" hikes.

Thanks for your thoughts. If my primary use of the pack was hiking, I'd have probably already ordered the new one. But I mostly use my Smart Alec for carrying stuff, including laptop, to and from work. My guess is the SA is better suited to that, and still more than adequate for carrying an extra layer, water, FAK and camera into the woods for the dozen or so times a year I got for half-day and short "day" hikes.

I received the Guide Pack (in Olive) yesterday to do field testing for a review on Loadedpocketz. Certainly the definitive word should come from Tom Bihn, but I believe tCook is correct - the second set of loops is to accommodate a higher position for the waist strap that already comes with the pack. At 21.5" in length, the Guide Pack is nearly as long as a Aeronaut. The strap would probably fall too low for users under 6' tall or with a shorter torso whereas for me, being 6'4", the lower position is perfect.

Ah OK. Darn lol. I was thinking it may be for a padded waist strap that would be coming out later since being able to anchor it to 2 points on each side would make it strong and stable. Who knows maybe that will happen.

I was thinking it may be for a padded waist strap that would be coming out later since being able to anchor it to 2 points on each side would make it strong and stable. Who knows maybe that will happen.

Pocketz and tCook are right, but so are you: I think you'll see a padded waist belt for The Guide's Pack by sometime early next year.

Alright! It really did look like it was meant for something else besides the existing waiststrap. Man, this pack has really filled the "perfect bag" spot for me. As Darcy knows I went round and round as well as up and down about the Smart Alec before and when I got it... but I found myself wanting to "modify " it for hiking duties and PAINFULLY decided to sell it off to see if the new gear I was starting to hear about would be what I was really wanting in a bag. And it seems the Guides pack is it. Looks like it could fit the bill as a midsize EDC bag when slimmed down. then go to a true hiking/backpacking pack with the attachments. Cannot wait to get one...

Can I confirm this over at EDCF since we've been speculating about it over there too? Just want to ask first....